The German football broadcasting landscape has undergone a significant transformation with RTL Deutschland and Sky acquiring key rights for the Bundesliga. RTL has secured exclusive free-TV broadcasts for Saturday evening matches of the 2nd Bundesliga over four seasons, showcasing 33 matches annually. Additionally, RTL+ gained highlight rights, allowing fans to access all key moments from both the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga, as well as the relegation and Supercup events. This move aims to enhance RTL's streaming service, RTL+, positioning it as a significant player in the market.
On the other hand, Sky has reinforced its dominance in Bundesliga coverage by acquiring rights to 227 live matches from the 1st Bundesliga and all 306 matches of the 2nd Bundesliga. This strategic acquisition strengthens Sky's position as the leading Bundesliga provider. The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) announced that the new broadcasting rights for the 2025/26 to 2028/29 seasons have been allocated, with DAZN obtaining rights for Sunday games and the Saturday conference. Sky continues to hold rights for Friday and Saturday matches, as well as the 2nd Bundesliga.
The financial implications of these deals are notable, with the DFL set to receive 4.484 billion euros. Sky’s investment is reported to be approximately 620 million euros more than their previous deal, while DAZN's costs have decreased. This competitive bidding for Bundesliga rights reflects the growing value placed on live sports broadcasting, as well as the evolving landscape of sports media consumption.
